Hollinger Corp. 
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University Bulletins 



Series XIII. Number II 



S 85 
.B3 
Copy 1 



University Bulletins Published Quarterly 
by the University of Nebraska at the Uni- 
versity of Nebraska. Entered at the Post- 
Office at Lincoln, Nebraska, as Second- 
Class Matter Under act of Congress, Julj 
16. 189*?. 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations. 



ORGANIZATION 

By E. C. BISHOP 



SELECTING POTATOES FOR THE CONTEST 

By VAL KEYSER 



\ 




April. 1908 
The University Pbess 

Lincoln Nebraska 



LIBEAEY 

OF THE 

U. S, Department of Agriculture 

Class 

Book 



I 



■• *«. *. 



S35 

33 



ORGANIZATION 
E. C. BISHOP 

Since this bulletin is the first to go into tin' hands of many 
of our new members, a brief summary of matters concerning 
organization is here given. 

STATE ORGANIZATIONS 

Our state organizations were formed December 15, 1!)0.~>, 
at the first corn contest held at Lincoln. Constitutions were 
adopted, officers elected and provisions made for carrying out 
the plans adopted. The boys' organization is known as the 
Nebraska Boys' Agricultural Association, the girls' organiza- 
tion as the Nebraska Girls' Domestic Science Association. Offi- 
cers are elected at the annual business meeting. The present 
officers are as follows: 

Managers, E. C. Bishop, Deputy State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, and Yal Keyser, Assistant Superintendent 
of Farmers 1 Institutes. 

Boys' Association : 

President, Claude A. Barker, Pawnee City. 
Vice-President. P. W. Sandy. Gretna. 
Secretary-Treasurer, Lester Moore, Seward. 
Girls' Association : 

President. Miss Ellen Inglis, Pawnee City. 
Vice-President, .Miss Verda Sandborn, Gretna. 
Secretary-Treasurer. .Miss Grace Aldrich, Ord. 
At the third annual meeting, held at Lincoln, January 20-24, 
1908, plans adopted Tor the ensuing year include work in the 
following departments : 

(a) Corn. 

(b) Potatoes. 

(c) Buttermaking. 

(d) Cooking. 

(e) Needle work. 

(f) Cooking and preserving of vegetables and fruits. 

(g) Flower culture. 



M».. so .!*« 



4 The University of Nebraska 

It was recommended that each county take up such depart- 
ments of the work as seemed best for that particular county 
this year. Potato growing was added especially for the benefit 
of counties outside the principal corn belt. Buttermaking is 
recommended for both boys' and girls' work in all counties. 

The bulletins are written from a scientific, practical stand- 
point in terms familiar to the young reader, yet contain in- 
formation and direction helpful to all who desire definite study 
and practice. The educational value of the work is fully as 
important as the development of individual efficiency. 

Each of the state officers has been assigned a subject for 
special investigation. It is his duty to gather data relative 
to available literature, to investigate and learn what work 
of interest is being done in his special department and to be 
in readiness to report the same. The work for this year has 
been assigned as follows : Corn, Mr. Moore ; Potatoes, Mr. 
Sandy; Buttermaking, Mr. Baker; Cooking. Miss Inglis; Sew- 
ing, Miss Aldrich ; Flowers, vegetables and fruits, Miss Sand- 
born. 

The University of Nebraska thru the Department of Farmers' 
Institutes and the State Department of Public Instruction 
co-operate in conducting the work. The University furnishes 
speakers and judges for state and county meetings and pub- 
lishes special bulletins. The State Board of Agriculture assists 
by providing liberal premium lists for the state contest and at 
the state fair for exhibits resulting from the work carried on 
by the state, county and district members of the associations. 

The object of the organization is to encourage all young 
people of the state to become interested in the matters which 
pertain to the home life ; to become efficient in the ordinary 
duties of the home; to study, to experiment and secure definite 
results along lines of activity which are important factors in 
physical, intellectual and moral development. 

One state meeting is held each year. This consists of a 
business meeting, a general program and an exhibition or con- 
test at which the best exhibits made in the various county 
contests are exhibited and prizes awarded according to merit. 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 5 

COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS. 

The state organization provides for sub-organizations, the 
first of which is the county organization. These organizations 

are known as the County Boys' Agricultural 

Club, and the County Girls' Domestic Science 

Club. The county superintendent or some person appointed 
by him is exofficio manager of the county club. Each club 
has officers as in the stale organization. The duties of the 
officers arc to assist the county manager in carrying out his 
plans. The principal work comes at the time of the county 
contest. In sonic counties a county contest is not held the first 
year the work is undertaken, the county members being sup- 
plied with bulletins and encouraged to take up some particular 
line of work in their homes; hut in nearly all counties a coun y 
contest is held, at which the county members are given oppor- 
tunity to exhihit results of their work. 

Very few counties take up all lines of the work each year. 
Each county chooses some particular work and concentrates 
effort therein. It is better to do a few things well than to 
attempt to do more than can be well done. The different de- 
partments of work suggested by the state organization are for 
the purpose of providing one or more lines of work that are 
especially adapted to each of the different sections of the 
state. The non-corn growing counties can do excellent work 
with potatoes and buttermaking. The work in the various 
girls' departments is applicable to all parts of the state. 

SCHOOL DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONS 

The school district organizations are sub-organizations of 
the comity and stale organizations. Various names are given 
these organizations: The School and Home Improvement 
Club, the Agricultural Club, the Gardening Club, and the 
Boys' and Girls' Industrial Club, are names used in different 
parts of the state. The teacher or some person appoinled by 
the teacher is ex-officio manager of the school district club. 
In towns and cities the principal or superintendent of the 
schools is ex-officio manager. Many of our strong clubs are 
in rural school districts; Others are in town and city districts. 



6 The University of Nebraska 

Domestic Science clubs are most common in town and city 
school districts, yet some strong Agricultural clubs are under 
the management of town schools. The plan of the work in 
district clubs is quite similar to that of the county club. The 
district clubs are generally strong factors in the work of county 
clubs. 

GENERAL DIRECTIONS 
The work is designed principally as home work. Do not 
allow club work to interfere with the regular school work 
or other home duties. Learn to do well something worth be- 
ing done. Do the thing that needs to be done. Do not attempt 
to do too many things at once. Do well the thing attempted. 
First, learn to do the best thing near at hand. Efficiency in 
any good work is true and profitable education. He who lives 
well must eat well, dress neatly and comfortably and enjoy 
good things; one who eats well, dresses well and enjoys good 
things must have well-prepared food, proper clothing and 
proper surroundings; one who prepares good food, proper 
clothing and pleasant surroundings must be supplied with good 
materials; one who supplies good materials at a reasonable cost 
must study well, act intelligently and work effectively. A good 
home is dependent upon companionship, ability to do, cheerful- 
ness, co-operation and effective service of all members. The 
home of every member of our boys' and girls' club should 
be happier and better because of the presence of such member, 
whatever be the line of work he undertakes. We want every 
Nebraska home to be the best home that the united efforts 
of all its members can make it. To do good things intelligently, 
efficiently and with a cheerful spirit entitles the member to the 
highest degree of approval given by our organizations. 

BULLETINS 

Bulletins will be furnished free thru the county superin- 
tendent to all members of district and county organizations. 
Any teacher or other person interested in the work desiring 
copy of any bulletin may secure the same until supply is 
exhausted by writing to the county superintendent or to the 
Registrar, University of Nebraska. These bulletins are in- 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 7 

tended for only general treatment of the subject discussed. 
The reader is expected to extend his reading and investiga- 
tions and to adapt his work to local conditions. The county 
manager will give instructions for carrying out the work in 
the county. Each member is requested to become acquainted 
with the county and district plans and to give special atten- 
tion to the work planned for each. Write to the county super- 
intendent for desired information. 



GROWING FOTATOES FOR THE CONTEST 

VAL KEYSER 
Introduction 

In the preparation of this bulletin the writer has attempted 
to give suggestions concerning the important points which 
should be observed in order to produce a good crop of pota- 
toes. The steps are taken up in logical order, just as the 
grower will proceed with the work. 

It is impossible to give specific directions as to the exact 
method to be followed in each of the operations, since the 
suggestions are of a general nature and the bulletin intended 
for use in all parts of Nebraska. The boys should use good 
judgment in each step and consult with the most successful 
potato growers in their locality. It is worth a great deal to 
any boy to talk to a successful, enthusiastic man, who under- 
stands the business of potato growing. Such a man is not 
only an inspiration to one, but he can also point out little 
things helpful to the boy and warn him against mistakes. 

Twenty years ago it was an easy matter to grow a crop of 
potatoes on almost any land in eastern Nebraska. Yields of 
from two hundred to four hundred bushels per acre were 
quite common. Late years, one hundred bushels per acre is 
considered a good yield, and many acres of good land produce 
even less than this. Now potato growing on a large scale is 
limited to certain sections of the state. The productiveness 
of some of the lands has been greatly reduced by constant 
cropping and weeds have become a serious problem. Insects, 
diseases and lack of facilities for handling and marketing, 



8 The University of Nebraska 

have tended to discourage potato growing on a commercial 
scale. 

It is hoped that this bulletin will interest the boys in potato 
growing by helping them to overcome some of the obstacles 
which have hindered growing potatoes as a market crop. 

Choice of Ground 
The first thing to consider is the choice of ground, or the 
most desirable place to plant potatoes. A fairly light soil usu- 
ally produces the best quality of potatoes. Generally speak- 
ing, a light soil is one which contains a large portion of sand, 
tho some soils rich in humus are light and lend themselves 
easily to cultivation. The sandy soils are light soils and are 
easy to cultivate. Clay soils are usually heavy in nature and 
more difficult to work. Where it is practical to do so, select 
a sandy soil that is rich in decayed vegetable matter. The plat 
for potatoes should be a fairly level piece of ground which 
does not overflow and where the drainage is good. Potatoes 
should not be planted on ground where potatoes were grown 
last year. If a piece of ground is available which has recently 
been seeded to alfalfa, clover or grasses, and has produced a 
crop of corn or small grain the previous year, other condi- 
tions being equal, it will be ideal for potatoes. Land which 
was well manured last year and has produced a crop since, 
could be selected. Avoid high sloping ground, on account 
of the danger of washing in times of heavy rains. The ground 
also dries out more readily in dry seasons. The potato seems 
to thrive best where conditions of moisture and temperature 
are fairly constant. Choose the best piece of land on the farm, 
keeping in mind the suggestions outlined above. 

Size of Plat 
It is not advisable to plant less than a twentieth of an acre, 
which would be a strip of ground two rods wide and four 
rods long. Each boy is encouraged to plant one-tenth of an 
acre or as much larger plat as he is able to plant and properly 
care for. It requires a plat four rods or 66 feet square 
for a tenth of an acre. It may not be advisable to select a 
square plat, on account of the lay of the land or convenience 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 9 

in cultivation, in which case a plat two rods wide and eight 
rods long could be selected, or one rod wide and sixteen rods 
long. If the plat of ground is sixty-six feet square it will 
allow for twenty rows three feet apart, and would require to 
plant it, from one-half bushel to a bushel of potatoes, depend- 
ing on size of tubers. If the tubers are planted fifteen inches 
apart the plat will contain 1040 hills. 

Preparation of the Soil for Planting 
Ground that has been plowed the fall before, especially 
where the soil has a tendency to be heavy, is usually the best. 
The ground should be plowed from seven to ten inches deep. 
Deep plowing affords better drainage, better aeration, and 
leaves the soil looser, which favors the growth of potatoes. 
The soil should be free from cornstalks or trash, for this ma- 
terial will interfere with later cultivation of the crop. If 
the ground must be plowed in the spring, double disk early 
and plow deep. The disking will mix the trash with the sur- 
face soil before it is turned under and leave the ground in 
better shape for plowing. By plowing the ground early and 
working it down well with a disk and harrow, the soil will 
be settled together, making a better seed bed. The land that 
has been plowed the fall before should also be disked early in 
the spring. Where the potatoes are planted early, no further 
treatment is necessary until you are ready to plant. 

Seed Potatoes 

It is perhaps best to use Early Ohio potatoes since this 
variety is so extensively grown in Nebraska and the Dakotas. 
This enables one to secure northern grown seed. Experienced 
potato growers have found that, as a rule, northern grown 
seed gives the largest yield and greatest per cent of high 
class tubers. This fact has placed a premium on seed potatoes 
grown in the Red River Valley. Seed grown in northern Ne- 
braska would do for planting in the southern portion of the 
state. Some successful potato growers have found that by 
careful selection year after year, they are able to produce seed 
potatoes on their own farms which are equal to the best Red 
River Early Ohio potatoes. If it is possible to secure seed from 



10 The University of Nebraska 

these parties, it would be advisable to purchase home grown 
seed. Each boy should buy his own seed or secure it from the 
county manager. Do not be afraid to invest one dollar or even 
three dollars in good seed. If conditions are at all favorable, 
and the grower performs his part, the tenth acre should pro- 
duce fifteen to twenty bushels of marketable potatoes. These 
potatoes should net the grower thirty cents to forty cents per 
bushel aside from the premiums he may be able to win in the 
county and state contests. By purchasing in large quantities 
the county manager may be able to secure the seed at a re- 
duced price. This seed should be purchased as soon as pos- 
sible and kept in a cool place until time to plant. The average 
cellar or cave will be suitable. 

Choice of Variety. — We wish to encourage the planting of 
early varieties, but where experience has shown that late va- 
rieties are better adapted to the soil, plant the kind that will 
give best results. The question of variety is not so important 
as quality. A great many varieties have been originated by 
growers in different parts of the state which have proven to be 
superior in their localities. The following early varieties have 
given excellent results and are considered standard in Ne- 
braska: Early Ohio and Early Six Weeks. The Early Ohio 
is a great favorite in our state, and if good seed can be secured 
is considered the most satisfactory potato for general planting. 
Some growers who have practiced irrigation prefer late varie- 
ties on account of increased yield. Carman No. 3, Rural New 
Yorker, and Sir Walter Raleigh are considered among the 
very best late sorts. 

Cutting Tubers 
The seed should be cut and planted the same day. Experi- 
ence has shown that if seed is allowed to dry out between 
the time of cutting and planting it will require longer time for 
growth to start and the potatoes will be slower to come up. 
There are two general methods used in cutting seed, quarter- 
ing the tubers, or cutting them into single-eye pieces. Either 
method can be used. If the potatoes are cut in quarters they 
should be planted about fifteen inches apart. If single-eye 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 



11 




Showing method of cutting tubers into single-eye pieces. 

pieces are used, plant from ten to fifteen inches, this depend- 
ing somewhat on the location and amount of average rainfall. 
If the potato is cut in quarters, it should be quartered length- 
wise, so that each piece will remain equal in length to the 
original length of potato. If cut in single-eye pieces, a 
medium-sized potato usually makes from eight to ten pieces. 
Care should be taken that each piece contains a good strong 
eye. The strength of the eye is generally determined by its 
prominence. A shallow, poorly defined eye is considered to 
be lower in vitality. The eye of the potato need not be deep 
but should be well defined. Use good judgment in cut ling the 
tubers; some potatoes may divide nicely into six or eight 
parts bearing good strong eyes, while it would not be advis- 
able to cut others into more than four pieces. 

Treatment of Seed Before Planting 

If the seed is perfectly clean and free from scab spots, 
treatment with some fungicide may not be necessary. But 
where potatoes are imported, we are not certain that proper 



12 The University of Nebraska 

care was exercised in keeping the seed clean and separate 
from diseased potatoes. Some growers even recommend 
thoroly washing apparently clean seed before it is planted, 
when it is not thought best to treat with fungicide. If the seed 
shows the slightest trace of scab it should be dipped in a 
solution of formalin. The usual recommendation for the solu- 
tion is one pint of formalin to thirty gallons of water; or, one 
ounce to two gallons will answer for all practical purposes. 
Place the potatoes in a gunny sack, submerge them and leave 
in solution from an hour to an hour and a half. When the 
seed is taken from the solution it should be spread out upon 
a platform or some boards placed together for this purpose, 
and allowed to dry, as the fumes from the wet potatoes make 
them disagreeable in planting. 

Potato Scab. — The scab is a parasitic fungus which lives on 
potatoes while they are in the ground. It is reproduced by 
means of spores which live on potatoes and in the ground 
where potatoes have been grown. Scab causes brown-colored 




Potatoes Affected with Scab. 

irregular ruptures in the skin of the potato. Where the pota- 
toes are badly affected the fungus may cover the entire tuber. 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 13 

It hinders the development of the potato and causes a rough, 
unsightly appearance which greatly reduces their market 
value and keeping qualities. The treatment with formalin 
as above mentioned will largely prevent this disease. 

Planting and Covering 

The marking out of the furrows could be done while the 
potatoes are drying after dipping. The furrows should not be 
opened and left long before the potatoes are dropped and 
covered. The planting should be hurried thru so that the 
potatoes can be covered with moist soil. The furrows should 
be made about four inches deep with a plow or lister. Of 
course this work can be done by hand, but the boy on the 
farm should practice doing things in a way that saves as much 
time and labor as possible. After the potatoes are dropped in 
the furrow they can be covered by the use of a double shoveled 
cultivator. This is best done by going twice over each row, 
the second time leaving the ground ridged from two to three 
inches high over the potatoes. A disk cultivator is good for 
this work. The rows should be straight and the covering care- 
fully done so that the ground between the rows can be culti- 
vated in case weeds start before the potatoes are up. The 
following statement from Bulletin 97, Nebraska Experiment 
Station, shows relative yields from different depths of plant- 
ing. The plats were of equal size in each case : 

In 1905 two tests were made of different depths of planting 
potatoes. Depths ranging from one to five inches were tried. 
The total yields from the two tests were as follows: 

Planted one inch deep 182 pounds 

Planted two inches deep 188 pounds 

Planted three inches deep 298 pounds 

Planted four inches deep 317 pounds 

Planted five inches deep 306 pounds 

Time to Plant. — One is governed by the locality and the 
manner in which the soil warms up in the spring, and to some 
extent by the variety of potatoes. From the first to the 



14 



The University of Nebraska 



twentieth of April is usually the best time to plant potatoes. 
In extreme northern Nebraska, potatoes are often planted 
as late as the middle of May, while in the extreme southern 
portion of the state in the ordinary season it is safe to plant 
any time after the 20th of March. The late freezes in the 
spring of 1907 damaged hundreds of potato patches, and 
served to caution us against planting too early. 

Cultivation 

In the ordinary season it is not necessary to stir the soil 
until the potatoes commence to break thru the ground. If 
the soil is slightly ridged over the row, it may be gone over 
with a harrow or garden rake just as the vines are starting, 
to break the surface soil. This rakes the ridge of the soil down, 







■ 



FIG. Showing effect of deep tillage. (From Campbell's 1907 

Soil Manual.) 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 



15 



leaving the ground level and destroying the weeds in the row, 
which otherwise would be the most difficult to kill at later 
cultivations. If the ground has been properly prepared, the 
harrow can be used to advantage once or twice more before 
starting the cultivator. Harrowing should be discontinued as 
soon as the harrow injures the vines. All later tillage should 
be done with a small shoveled cultivator, running at a depth 
of from two and one-half to three inches. It is possible to 
get good results by the use of the hoe provided the soil is 
properly stirred and not simply scraped, merely cutting off 
the weeds, as is often the practice. The later cultivations 
should be done with a small shoveled cultivator, a weeder, 
or some other implement adapted for this purpose. Experi- 
ence has shown that the ground should be stirred from two 
and one-half to three inches deep. As a rule, whatever depth 




FIG. Showing advantage of shallow tillage. (From Campbell's 

1907 Soil Manual.) 



16 The University of Nebraska 

the soil is stirred at the first cultivation, the cultivator should 
be run at the same depth for all later cultivations. The ground 
will dry out as deep as it is stirred, thus establishing a soil 
mulch two and one-half to three inches deep, which allows the 
moisture to come quite near the surface. Stirring the soil at 
this depth also prevents injuring the roots or disturbing the 
tubers. If the season is exceptionally dry it may be necessary 
to stir the ground a little deeper in order to hold the moisture. 
A portion of Bulletin 97, Nebraska Experiment Station, show- 
ing the profits from different methods of tillage is here 
quoted : 

"In 1906. two tests of tillage were made. In one case poor 
and thoro cultivation were compared, and in the other case 
poor, medium and thoro cultivation. In the first test the poor 
cultivation plat was harrowed twice and cultivated twice. The 
cultivating in this plat was done with a large 4-shovel corn 
plow. The ground was stirred to a depth of at least four 
inches, the aim being to follow the method in use on many 
farms in this state. The thoro cultivation plat was harrowed 
three times and cultivated four times. The cultivation here 
was given in part with an 8-shovel corn cultivator and in 
part with a 14-shovel 2-row cultivator. The depth of culti- 
vation was from tAvo to three inches. No hoeing was given 
either plat. Owing to the fact that the plats were in an old 
alfalfa field plowed up the fall before, where considerable 
bluegrass had gained entrance, and that the sod had not 
rotted thoroly, it was difficult to do a good job of cultivating, 
especially with the very small shoveled cultivators. The weeds, 
mostly annual grasses, obtained a considerable foothold in 
the potato rows, even in the thoro cultivation plat. The poor 
cultivation plat, however, was much the weedier of the two. 
The difference was likely due in part to the difference in num- 
ber of cultivations given the two plats, but probably quite as 
much to the fact that the ground was green with weeds in 
the poor cultivation plat before cultivation was begun, while 
the thoro cultivation plat was always cultivated before or as 
soon as the weeds began to show at all. The yields from the 
two plats, each containing 16 rows 60 rods long, were 2,902 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls 1 Associations 



17 



pounds from the poor cultivation, and 6,733 pounds from the 
thoro cultivation, or 48 bushels and 112 bushels respectively. 
This is 132 per cent more from the thoro cultivation plat than 
from the poor cultivation plat. The weights of small tubers 
in the two cases were 726 pounds and 929 pounds, or 25 per 
cent from the plat given poor tillage and only 14 per cent 
from the plat given thoro tillage. The value of the cop at 
the prices received at digging time — $1.00 per 100 pounds for 
the large tubers (those over three ounces in weight) and 





View of clean cultivated and neglected plats at Nebraska Experiment Station 
taken just after a rain. 

50 cents per 100 pounds for the small tubers — was $25.39 
for the poor cultivation plat and $62.69 for the thoro cultiva- 
tion plat. Subtracting the value of the seed, $7.50 in each 
case, there remained $17.89 from the poor cultivation plat and 
$55.19 from the thoro cultivation plat. While no records were 
kept of the actual cost of producing the crop, it is probable 
that the cost of preparing the land, planting, tilling, harrowing, 
etc., left very little if any profit from the poor cultivation 
plat. If the poorly cultivated plat just paid- expenses, the 



18 



The University of Nebraska 



crop that was cultivated thoroly must have paid from $30 to 
$35 per acre above all expenses." 

Weeds. — Perhaps none of the cultivated crops show the effect 
of careless culture more than potatoes. Weeds rob the soil 
of moisture and plant food which should go to increase the 
yield of potatoes. If you are trying to produce the greatest 
possible yield of tubers you can not afford to allow any weeds 
to grow in your potato patch. 

Spraying 

There are two reasons for spraying potatoes, — to kill the 
potato beetle and prevent disease. It is nearly always neces- 
sary to do something to prevent the ravages of the potato 
beetle. Picking the beetles is a common practice. This is often 
done by carrying a pail thru the field and pounding or shaking 
the vines over the pail, into which the beetles fall. They are 
then usually burned or scalded. This requires considerable 
time, and is not so satisfactory as spraying or dusting. Any 
of the arsenic poisons can be used, Paris green, London 





Bucket Pump, Bellows Duster and Copper Knapsack Spray Pump. 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 19 

purple or lead arsenate. Paris green is perhaps the most 
satisfactory to use and can be purchased from almost any 
drug store. It varies in price from 30 cents to 40 cents per 
pound. .Use at the rate of one pound Paris green to 100 
gallons of water or one ounce to six or seven gallons of water. 
It is a good plan to add lime about 10 pounds to every 100 
gallons of water. The lime will aid in keeping the Paris green 
in suspension and will also adhere better to the leaves of the 
potato plants. A convenient method of adding the Paris green 
to the water is to first put it into a mason fruit jar, which is 
half filled with water, and then to shake vigorously until the 
Paris green is thoroly mixed. Every farm should have a 
sprayer of some description. They will pay for themselves 
many times over and it is difficult to apply spray material 
without the use of a sprayer. It can be sprinkled on, but this 
method wastes a great deal of spray material. Some potato 
growers prefer to use a dust or Paris green in a dry condition. 
To do this it is necessary to mix the Paris green with air- 
slacked lime or flour. Mix at the rate of 1 pound Paris green to 
'10 to 15 pounds air-slacked lime. Great care should be taken to 
have the Paris green and lime thoroly mixed, before it is ap- 
plied. A convenient method of mixing is to spread a layer of 
lime dust, from one to two inches thick, in a shallow box which 
has a tight, smooth bottom. Paris green can be kept in an 
old pepper box. Shake a little out, covering the layer of 
lime, and then by means of a trowel or garden hoe mix thoroly. 
Add another layer of lime and more Paris green and continue 
the mixing until a quantity sufficient to dust the entire patch 
is prepared. This should be mixed the day before it is used, 
for it is necessary to apply the dust early in the morning 
while the vines are still wet with dew or immediately after 
a shower of rain. Poison prepared in this way can be applied 
by the use of a flour sieve or any sieve of fine mesh. It can 
also be carried in a good gunny sack. Shake the sack a little 
over each hill. Caution. — The sieve that is used for this pur- 
pose, also the Paris green and the jar used for mixing, should 
be handled with care and kept in a tight box where it will be 
out of reach of little children who are not old enough to 



20 The University of Nebraska 

realize the danger of poison. There is no definite time to apply 
the spray material, for the beetles may come any time during 
the season. The vines should be sprayed or dusted as soon as 
the young beetles commence to work. If they are neglected 
for a few days the beetles may damage the vines so that 
the growth of the potatoes is materially injured. The beetles 
also encourage the starting of diseases. 

Mulching Potatoes 

In some parts of the state it may be better to grow the 
potato by mulching than by cultivation. Many growers have 
found this a very satisfactory way to produce a good crop 
of potatoes. After the ground has been properly prepared 
by deep plowing and thoroly worked down, forming a good 
seed bed, shallow furrows can be struck marking out the 
rows. The cut tubers can be planted the usual distance apart, 
and covered from one to two inches deep. The mulch may be 
of clean oat straw, wheat straw, old prairie hay or any other 
litter that after standing will settle down sufficient to form a 
mat, which will prevent the growth of weeds and the loss of 
moisture by evaporation. There are several advantages ob- 
tained by mulching. First, the work of cultivation is com- 
pleted as soon as the mulch is spread. Second, the moisture 
is retained for a much longer period under a good mulch of 
straw than under a soil mulch that can be effected by the 
average system of surface cultivation. Third, a more constant 
temperature is obtained, which is suited to the growth of the 
potato. The ground will also receive a much larger rainfall 
without washing. It may be necessary to thicken up the 
mulch after the potatoes are nicely started in case it is found 
that the mulch is too thin to conserve the moisture or prevent 
the growth of weeds. If the season is dry and hot, the mulch 
will work very satisfactorily. But should the season be damp 
and cold, the mulch may retain too much moisture and pre- 
vent proper aeration of the soil, which will tend to produce a 
poor quality of tubers. The grower must use his own judg- 
ment as to the advisability of mulching potatoes. 

It would be an excellent plan to try two plats of equal size, 



Nebraska Boys' and Girls' Associations 



21 



each containing from one-twentieth to one-tenth of an acre, 
one plat to be mulched with straw from four to six inches 
deep, the other to be kept cultivated thruout the growing sea- 
son. There are different methods of applying the mulch, as 
shown in the following extract from Bulletin No. 80, Nebraska 
Experiment Station: 

"Early Ohio potatoes were grown for the mulching tests 
each of the three years that this method of culture has been 
under trial. In 1900 the planting was done May 3 and the 
mulch spread June 12, after the potatoes had been cultivated 
three times. The unmulched plat was cultivated three times 
more during the season. In 1901 the tubers were planted 
April 20 and mulched June 1, after one cultivation, the un- 
mulched plat being cultivated frequently thruout the re- 
mainder of the season. In 1902 the date of planting was April 
4 and of mulching May 22, the potatoes having been cultivated 
once between these dates. The unmulched plats were culti- 
vated four times afterwards. The yield of marketable tubers 
in bushels are given in the following table: 







1901 


1902 




tj 


r^ 






Method of Culture 


1900 






m a 


£^ 






M 


Z.% 


~3 


33 




Lbs. 


s- 


7S 






Mulch. 


88 


q8 


82 


74 


Cultivation _ . 


S3 


77 


64 


86 


82 



"In 1900 not only was the crop increased about 6 per cent 
by mulching but the mulched tubers were larger and smoother 
than the cultivated ones. In 1901 the yield on unirrigated 
land was increased 17 per cent by mulching. The difference 
would undoubtedly have been even greater had not the un- 
mulched potatoes been given thoro cultivation, thus producing 
a fair yield in this unusually dry year, when the potato crop 
failed in many parts of the state. The mulched tubers were 
also fully as good in quality as the cultivated ones. On irri- 
gated land in 1901 the mulched potatoes yielded 27 per cent 
more than the cultivated ones, but owing to the soil's having 
been kept too wet while the tubers were maturing, they were 



22 The University of Nebraska 

rough and watery. Moreover, they did not keep so well as 
the tubers from the cultivated plat when stored for winter. 
In 1902 mulching decreased the yield 5 per cent on the high 
land and 10 per cent on the low land, little difference being 
noticed in regard to quality of tubers." 

Irrigation 
Boys living in sections of the state where it is possible to 
irrigate can, by the use of water, secure the largest yields. 
It would be advisable for these boys to enter the acre contest. 
At the Experiment Station, potatoes were irrigated in a small 
way and very good results secured. A brief report of the 
work done will be found in Bulletin No. 80, Nebraska Experi- 
ment Station. 

Harvesting 

Early potatoes are usually mature and ready to be harvested 
by the middle of August in most parts of the state, but it is 
often advisable to leave them in the ground a little longer. 
In the average season they can remain in the ground as late 
as the middle of October. The usual method of digging is to 
throw the potatoes out by the use of a plow or lister. Large 
growers use the potato digger. It is perhaps better, where 
the plat is small and has been grown especially for the con- 
test, to dig the potatoes by the use of the potato fork or a 
spade. This will enable the boy to lift each hill carefully 
so that the tubers will not be injured in digging. This also 
gives an opportunity to select a quantity of the most desirable 
tubers. These should be sacked and kept separate until the 
final selection. The remainder of the crop can be piled in the 
field and covered with straw. If the crop must remain in 
the field long before storing, cover straw with light layer of 
earth. Potatoes grown in some soils will come from the ground 
in a clean condition and will require very little cleaning pre- 
paratory to exhibiting, while other soils will adhere to the 
tubers in such a manner that it will be necessary to wash them 
before one is able to make the selection. As a rule it is better 
not to dig potatoes when the ground is wet, but in some sea- 



Nebraska Boys' and GirPs Association.- 23 

sons it is not practicable to follow the rule. The boy should 
wateh this matter closely, for potatoes dug when the soil is 
in proper condition may save a great deal of labor in handling 
the crop. If the potatoes were mulched, the mulch may be 
removed any time after the potato vines are dead to allow 
the ground to dry out, unless tubers are borne so near the 
surface that they will sunburn if the straw is removed. Where 
the ground has been properly cultivated thruout the growing 
season, the labor at the lime of digging is greatly reduced. 
If the ground has been allowed to become foul with weeds, 
it will be necessary to remove these weeds before the digging 
can be pursued with any degree of satisfaction. We hope 
that our boys will care for their potatoes in such a manner 
that it will not, be necessary to remove weeds before the 
potatoes can be dug. 

Storing 1 

If potatoes are not marketed soon after harvesting, they 
must be stored in some dark, cool place. The average cellar 
on the farm is usually very good for this purpose. A good 
cave which can be (dosed up tight so that the temperature can 
be held comparatively low and constant is still better. The 
potatoes will not be apt to sprout until the have he. mi in stor- 
age a long time. The boys who are growing potatoes on a 
larger scale for the market may find it advisable to store them 
in the field. The following method of storing potatoes is 
practiced by some of the largest and most successful potato 
growers of Nebraska. As the potatoes are dug they are piled 
in heaps of convenient size and covered with straw. The 
potatoes can be left in this condition from two to four weeks 
or until they have gone thru a sweat. Meanwhile a pit can 
be dug from one to two feet deep, four feet wide and any 
length desired, which is left open until allowed to cool down 
to freezing temperature. The long way of pit should be north 
and south. The potatoes are then put into the pit and nicely 
rounded up in the center. They are then covered with a layer 
of from eight to twelve inches of straw (wheat or rye str.iw 



24 



The University of Nebraska 



is preferred),, over which is- thrown three to four inches of 
dirt which has been removed from the pit. This layer of dirt 
is allowed to freeze- and then more straw and dirt enough to> 
prevent blowing - is added. The accompanying cut illustrates 
this style of storage. A ventilator can be put in but they will 
k«ep equally well without and will be soun,d y firm.' and m, good 




condition to market in the spring. Potatoes have been kept in 
this manner until the first of April and when taken from the 
pit were in fine condition for marketing. 



Selecting Potatoes for the Contest 

The first thing is to study the score card and become thoroly 
acquainted with the requirements of the card. This score 
card was drawn up for the boys' contest work, it being neces- 
sary to have a standard by which the exhibitors and the judge 
can be guided. As soon as you are familiar with the essential 
points which compose a good exhibit, place the potatoes which 
have been chosen as worthy of consideration on a table before 
you, and carefully select the twelve best tubers which conform 



Nebraska Boys 1 and Girls 1 Associations 



25 




A fairly good exhibit of Potatoes, showing proper arrangement on tables. 

to the regulations of the score card. If two exhibits are equally 
good in all respects, except size, the larger potatoes will be 
given first place unless the judge should deem them too large. 
It has been found that medium-sized tubers of proper shape 
usually cook better and are more profitable for seed and for 
the market. This applies to early varieties rather than late. 

Score Card for Potatoes 



















Value 


Score 


Score ' 




Uniformity of Fxhibit... 

Trueness to Type 

Shape of Tuber 


20 

10 

15 

15 

5 

5 

5 

10 

15 








Size of Tuber 




Eyes 

Skin . . . 




Texture of Tuber 

Soundness .. .. 




Freedom from Blemishes. 




Total 


100 













26 The University of Nebraska 

Explanation of Score Card 

Uniformity of Exhibit. — Select twelve potatoes that are 
uniform in size, shape, color, and which have uniformly well 
defined eyes of the same depth. 

Trueness to Type. — Each potato should be typical of the 
variety to which it belongs, i. e., the characteristics should 
be clearly defined, enabling one to easily identify it. 

Shape of Tuber. — The shape of the potato will depend largely 
upon variety, but the flat-round or oval shape is favored, be- 
cause these shapes usually give best quality tubers. 

Size of Tuber. — As a rule, select medium-sized potatoes, but 
if two exhibits are otherwise equal, choose the larger, unless 
potatoes are so large as to be considered overgrown. 

Eyes. — The eyes of the potato should be medium deep, well 
defined and not too numerous. Deep eyes cause waste in peel- 
ing and have a tendency to affect shape of tuber. Eyes too 
shallow are low in vitality. 

Skin. — The skin may be whitish, brown, redish, yellowish 
brown, blue or black, depending on variety. It may be thick 
or thin, tough or brittle. A thick, fairly tough skin is pre- 
ferred, lenticels not too prominent, or potatoes sunburned. 

Texture of Tuber. — This is determined by cutting tuber. A 
fairly fine grained, brittle texture is preferred. A tough tex- 
ture does not cook up mealy and is usually poor in flavor. 

Soundness. — Select potatoes that are sound and firm, not 
wrinkled and flabby. Hollow potatoes are objectionable, like- 
wise any internal discoloration indicating a diseased condi- 
tion. The judge should cut two potatoes in each exhibit. 

Freedom from Blemishes. — The judge will deduct from score 
for scab spots, or skin ruptures from any other disease, cuts, 
bruises, scratches or any other defects. 

Packing Potatoes to Send to Contest 

As soon as the final selection has been made, each potato 
should be wrapped in paper and placed in a box just large 
enough to nicely contain the twelve potatoes, so that they will 
not move or roll about and become bruised in handling. The 



Nebraska Boys' and GirPs Associations 27 

i>ox should be lined with two or three thicknesses of news- 
paper to prevent freezing during shipment. 

The individual exhibit will consist of twelve tubers which 
are grown by the exhibitor. 

The Acre Contest 

Prizes will be offered to boys competing in the acre contest. 
The regulations governing the acre contest are : The con- 
testant may choose any variety of potato that he desires, use 
any method of cutting tubers, choose depth of planting, 
plant rows and hills any distance apart, he may also culti- 
vate, mulch or irrigate. The prizes will be awarded only to 
boys who have grown, harvested and weighed a measured acre 
of ground. Three witnesses will be appointed by the county 
manager who must swear to the accuracy of the work. Boys 
who expect to enter the acre contest can arrange with the 
county manager before the potatoes are planted 

Hill Selection 

One advantage in digging potatoes with a fork is the oppor- 
tunity offered to study the hills. If we wish to increase the 
yield of potatoes by seed selection, more attention must be 
paid to the product of each potato planted. The yield of 
potatoes per hill must be considered by noticing the potatoes 
of each hill as it is thrown out. We find great variation in 
the number, shape, size and quality of the potato in different 
hills. The best hills are those which produce the largest num- 
ber of medium-sized, nearly uniform potatoes. It is much better 
to have a hill which contains five to eight medium-sized uni- 
form potatoes than one which produces two or three extra 
large potatoes and eight to ten too small for use. If potatoes 
are selected from the best hills and used for seed, the quality 
of potatoes and yield per acre can be greatly improved. 

Potato Diseases 
Bordeaux mixture is used to spray potatoes to prevent the 
diseases which may attack the leaves and stems. Every one 



28 The University of Nebraska 

engaged in potato raising; either in a small way or on a com- 
mercial scale, should know how to make Bordeaux mixture- 
En some seasons it will be necessary to spray with Bordeaux 
lo prevent Early Blight. In certain sections of the state- 
potato diseases have caused a. great deal of damage. Some 
of these diseases can be prevented by spraying, but it is ques- 
tionable if spraying will prevent diseases of the tuber and 
underground portion of the potato plant, as Dry Rot, Potato 
Rosette, and Black Shank. If diseases have been injuring the 
potatoes, there are a few general precautions which can be 
observed. Plant on new ground or in soil which has not pro- 
duced a crop of potatoes or beets for the last two or three 
years. Use only clean seed which has been kept separate from 
diseased potatoes. Dip all tubers in formalin before planting, 
and spray the vines with Bordeaux mixture several times dur- 
ing the growing season. In the eastern states where blight 
and other diseases are serious, growers have been able to in- 
crease the yield 50 to 60 bushels per acre by spraying. It 
was found that a good job of spraying could be done at a 
total expense of jfi-1 to $6 per acre for five applications. 

Making Bordeaux Mixture. — Pour pounds lime, six pounds 
copper sulphate, to 50 gallons of water is perhaps the most 
effective formula to follow. The mixture must be properly 
made and properly applied for good results. Dissolve copper 
sulphate in a barrel, containing water, by placing crystals in a 
clean sack and submerging in water from 15 to 18 hours. 
I'se ;i pound of copper sulphate to every gallon of water. This 
solution can be kept for several weeks. In another barrel, 
slack quicklime, using a gallon of water to each pound of 
lime. Stir well, while lime is slacking to prevent burning. If 
the lime is covered with water, it can be kept for several 
weeks. When ready to make the mixture, two half-barrels 
are necessary. Into one put six gallons of copper sulphate 
solution and add 18 gallons of water. Into the other put four 
gallons of lime solution. Stir well before dipping out the lime 
and add 22 gallons of water. The two dilute solutions are 
then poured together into a barrel which contains the spray 
pump. The mixture is then ready to be sprayed on the potato 



Nebraska Boys' and GirFs Associations 29 

vines. If one desires to mix only a small quantity or enough 
to spray the plat grown for the contest, he may use smaller 
proportions, as, one quart copper cuiphate diluted with four 
•quarts of water, and one quart of lime solution diluted with 
.six quarts of water. This poured together will make three 
gallons of Bordeaux mixture. In making a small quantity 
•of the mixture, wooden buckets can be used. Use a quart 
mason fruit jar to dip out copper sulphate solution. 

Bordeaux mixture is used to prevent the disease, not to cure 
it. Therefore it must be applied to the potato vines before 
the disease appears. 

List of Questions 

1. What Avas the total yield of potatoes in Nebraska in 1005 

and 1906 ? 

2. Why do potatoes thrive best in light soils? 

3. What is accomplished by deep plowing? 

4. What are the advantages in shallow cultivation? 

5. How many times were your potatoes cultivated? How 

deep! 

6. In how many ways do weeds hinder the growth of 

potatoes? 

7. Why should only (dean seed be planted? 

8. Why should medium-sized potatoes be selected for seed ? 
D. How many bushels of medium-sized potatoes will it require 

to plant an acre, if seed be cut in single-eye pieces, rows 
3 feet apart, and hills 13 inches apart in the rows? 

10. What will it cost to dip a bushel of seed potatoes in 

formalin? 

11. How many gallons liquid spray material does it require to 

spray an acre of potatoes once over? What will it cosl 

12. How much dust material does it require to dust an acre? 

What would it cost? 

13. What will it cost to mulch an acre of potatoes? 

14. How many days does it require from date of plaining to 

mature Early Ohio potatoes? Also Rural New Yorker'' 

15. What is the best method of storing potatoes in your 

locality ? 



30 The University of Nebraska 

16. In how many ways can potatoes be propagated? 

17. How many different kinds of insects injured your potatoes 

in 1908? 

18. How many different diseases troubled your potatoes? 

1!). What methods were used to prevent these diseases and 

insects ? 
20. How many bulletins and books on potatoes have you read? 
Note. — Dr. P. D. ITeald, Botanist, Experiment Station, Lin- 
coln, Nebr.. lias promised to identify and make report to tin- 
grower upon all specimens of diseased potatoes sent to the 
Experiment Station if specimens are in condition to make 
identification possible. 

Recommended List of Publications 

Books — ■ 

" The Potato," by Samuel Eraser, Cornell University, 

Ithaca, N. Y. 
"Principles of Vegetable Gardening," by L. H. Bailey, Cor- 
nell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 
"Vegetable Gardening," by Samuel B. Green, Minnesota 

Experiment Station, St. Anthony Park, Minn, 
Bulletins — ■ 

Bulletin No. 97, Nebraska Experiment Station, Lincoln, 

Nebr., "Potato Experiments." 
Bulletin No. 87, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. 

St. Anthony Park, Minn., "Potatoes at the University 

Farm." 
Bulletin No. 91, Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, 

Ft. Collins, Colo., "Potato Failures." 
Bulletin No. 117, Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, 

"The Colorado Potato Industry." 
Bulletin No. 52, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, 

Stillwater, Oklahoma, "The Potato Crop." 
Bulletin No. 174, Ohio Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio, 

"Potato Investigations, Variety Tests, Spraying and Seed 

Selection." 
Bulletin No. 290, New York Experiment Station, Geneva, 

New York, "Potato Spraying Experiments in 1906." 



Nebraska Boys' and Girl's Associations 31 

Bulletin No. 230, Cornell University Experimenl Station, 

[thaca, X. V.. "Quality in Potatoes." 
Farmers' Bulletin No. 91, I'. S. Departmenl of Agriculture, 

Washington, I>. ( '.. " Potato I )i smses and their Treatment. " 



Farmers' Institute Lecture No. 2, ''Potato Diseases and their 
Treatment," U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washing- 
ton, D. C. 



Will 



Ho] 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




003 070 586 5 






